Pensacola State Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members advance to the State Leadership Conference

Pensacola State College’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members continue to set the standard for excellence, proving their skills and dedication at the recent regional competition. Their success highlights PSC’s strong commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals.

The HOSA regional competition took place on Jan. 18 at West Florida High School, where all 11 Pensacola State College HOSA members earned a 1^st, 2^ndor 3^rd place finish, securing their spot at the prestigious State Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, April 3 through 6. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry. The organization provides members unique opportunities to participate in local, state and national leadership development training.

Veterinary technology student Mary Born, who took first place in the regional Veterinary Science event, said, “Compared to last year, I have learned so much in my program of study, and I am excited to test my skills again in the upcoming State competition in Orlando. HOSA does an excellent job of providing interesting displays and hosting professionals with different health occupation organizations we can meet. Personally, I am excited to look for the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges this year.”

This outstanding achievement reflects the students’ commitment to excellence and the high-quality preparation they receive at PSC. As they advance to the state level, they will compete against top HOSA students from across Florida, further honing their healthcare knowledge, leadership and professionalism skills.

Hillary Sandusky, Health Programs Outreach Coordinator and HOSA Chapter Advisor, stated, “This is such a great opportunity for members to not only sharpen the skills they are learning in their coursework but also to network with others in the industry when they attend competitions, exploring career opportunities they may not have previously considered.”

PSC’s HOSA competitors excelled in various categories, demonstrating their expertise across multiple healthcare disciplines:

Competitive Events and Results

Dental Science: Dental Science allows members to gain knowledge and skills required for dental careers.

• Anarmaa Batkhurel – 1^st place (Dental Hygiene)
• Bianca Lavagesse – 2^nd place (Dental Hygiene)
• Hale Hall – 3^rd place (Dental Hygiene)

Health Career Photography: Health Career Photography provides members with the opportunity to gain knowledge about different health careers and analyze them through the medium of digital photography.

• Samantha Gates – 1^st place (A.A Degree)

Medical Terminology: Medical Terminology allows members to gain knowledge and skills regarding prefixes, suffixes, word roots, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and occupations related to the health field.

• Laurin Bailey Edmonson – 1^stplace (Medical Information Coder/Biller)
• Leilani Ramos – 2^ndplace (A.A Degree)

Nutrition: The Nutrition test allows members to explore and learn about the relationship between nutrition and wellness and assess knowledge common in this health field.

• Dominic Desporte – 1^stplace (Charter Academy – A.A. Degree)

Pharmacology: Pharmacology provides HOSA members with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills regarding the area of healthcare concerned with drug uses, effects, and modes of action.

• Asia Greer – 1^stplace (A.A Degree)

Veterinary Science: Veterinary Science allows members to gain the knowledge and skills required for diagnosing and treating animals.

• Mary Born – 1^stplace (Veterinary Technology)
• Reese Arthur – 2^ndplace (Veterinary Technology)
• Riley Lerille – 3^rdplace (Veterinary Technology)

Dr. Dusti Sluder, Dean of Health Sciences, explained, “HOSA is a co-curricular career and technical student organization that offers activities, competitive events, and networking opportunities for students interested in healthcare professions. HOSA not only enhances technical skill proficiency but also strengthens essential employability and leadership skills. Through leadership training and the reinforcement of career-specific skills, students develop both personally and professionally. These competitive events are designed to motivate HOSA members to improve their skills and knowledge. By participating and excelling in these events, students can build valuable resume experience, gain industry insights, and make connections that will benefit their future careers.”

Dr. Sluder added that PSC is always looking for health faculty advisors for HOSA who are interested in working with members and accompanying them to competitions at no cost to them or the participating student members.

President Ed Meadows said, “HOSA is extremely important in giving students an opportunity to explore careers in health sciences and nursing before they make career decisions, to understand not only the impact that a career can have on them in terms of salary or job satisfaction but also the way in which technology affects the way they administer care to their patients. This is an opportunity for the College to take the lead with our health sciences and nursing campus to educate, inform and support students considering careers in those fields.”

PSC is proud of these outstanding students and looks forward to their continued success at the State Leadership Conference in April. Stay tuned for updates as they represent the College at the next level of competition!

For more information about HOSA, visit hosa.org. To get involved with HOSA at PSC, contact Hillary Sandusky at hsandusky@pensacolastate.edu or call 850-484-2273.